Your First Visit and Evaluation

What to expect during your first visit

Living kidney donation is a gift of life

Almost 45 of every 100 kidney donors are living donors. Locating a living donor match can significantly shorten the wait time for a kidney transplant. Kidneys from living donors also typically function much longer with lower rejection rates than kidneys from deceased donors. Learn more about our Living Kidney Donor Team and the process to donate.

From day one, you will receive comprehensive and compassionate care from our multidisciplinary kidney transplant team. They will answer all your questions and thoroughly assess your condition to determine your best treatment option. If a kidney transplant isn't right for you, we'll discuss alternative treatments with you.

Before your visit

Your physician and dialysis team should supply all relevant medical information to us before your initial evaluation.

After your first visit, our kidney doctors will conduct physical examinations to ensure your body is strong enough to undergo transplant surgery and determine your compatibility with living donors. Transplant evaluation tests can take from two to six months to complete.

Expanding organ transplant program to reflect patient needs

In early 2015, a clinic opened in Wichita offering something unique to the area: an easier connection to The University of Kansas Hospital's kidney transplant experts. Read more.

The tests we perform depend on your specific condition and may include:

Chest X-rayThis test examines the lungs and lower respiratory tract to help detect infection or abnormalities in your lungs and to assess the size of your heart.

Color-flow DopplerThis noninvasive test shows the blood flow through the arteries and veins in the lower abdomen and legs. It reveals any narrowing caused by hardening of the arteries or other vessel diseases.

Dental evaluationThis ensures you do not have infections, cavities or gum disease.

EchocardiogramThis noninvasive test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. Echocardiograms use no radiation and show more detail than X-ray images.

ElectrocardiogramAn EKG shows the rate your heart is beating and any abnormal or extra beats. It will show any blockage that changes the normal electrical signal path through the heart muscle.

Gynecologic evaluationWomen have a Pap smear and mammogram.

Renal ultrasoundUltrasound shows the blood flow to and from the kidneys and locates abnormalities or masses in the kidneys. We'll perform an ultrasound test of your abdominal area to check for any abnormalities of the liver, gall bladder, bile duct, spleen and pancreas.

TB skin test
Both the patient and donor are given skin tests for tuberculosis, a highly contagious infection. TB can be transferred to a patient via a donated kidney.

Urine testsWe check for infections and measure how well your kidneys get rid of wastes.

When you’re approved for kidney transplant

Once your transplant is approved, your case is officially activated. The transplant coordinator will put you on the waiting list of United Network of Organ Sharing. We'll also inform your doctor of your transplant status.

While you're on the waiting list

It's critical that we have all your current telephone and pager numbers to reach you. You'll also need periodic lab work and yearly tests to be sure you are still a transplant candidate.